PDP ought to admit defeat, vote-buying accusations false – APC

Mr Steve Otaloro, Director of Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State and member of the Media and Publicity Committee for Fortunate Aiyedatiwa’s Marketing campaign Council. He tells PETER DADA that PDP’s vote-buying allegations are baseless

The Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee declared Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa of the APC winner of the Ondo election. What’s your response on the victory?

To start out with, let me say we’re very humble with the big assist we acquired from the Ondo State citizens. Our landslide victory within the just-concluded election is a testomony to the exhausting work, dedication, and dedication of our group, in addition to the belief the folks of Ondo State have in our management. We ran a grassroots marketing campaign, participating with voters and listening to their issues. Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa’s message of progress and improvement resonated with the folks, and we’re grateful for his or her assist. We additionally invested closely in voter training and sensitisation, making certain that our supporters have been conscious of the voting course of and the significance of exercising their franchise. Our marketing campaign group labored tirelessly to mobilise voters, distribute our marketing campaign supplies and supply logistics to our brokers on the polling models. Moreover, our get together’s efficiency within the state over time has been spectacular, and we have been in a position to construct on that momentum.

The PDP alleged that the APC was concerned in large vote-buying, that you simply bought a vote for as a lot as N10,000. What’s your response to that?

These allegations,from wherever they arrive from, are fully false and baseless. We deny any involvement in vote-buying or different electoral malpractices. Our marketing campaign was targeted on points and concepts, not on shopping for votes. We’re assured that the electoral course of was free and honest, and we’re pleased with our victory. We’re not shocked by these allegations, as they’re acquainted ways employed by the opposition to discredit our get together and undermine the electoral course of. Nevertheless, we’re assured that the proof will communicate for itself, and we’re prepared to cooperate with any investigation or inquiry into these allegations. That we bought a vote for as a lot as N10,000 is a ridiculous allegation with no proof to again it up. Sadly, the PDP has resorted to peddling unfounded allegations and conspiracy theories. We problem the PDP or any opposition get together to offer proof to assist their allegations. If they’ve any credible proof, they need to current it to the related authorities. In any other case, they need to retract their allegations and apologise for spreading falsehood.

How did your get together fund the marketing campaign and the election as a result of it was alleged that the governor took N20bn from the federal government purse to fund the election?

As I mentioned, these allegations are false and deceptive. The funding for our marketing campaign was clear and consistent with electoral laws. We didn’t use any authorities funds for our marketing campaign, and we’re assured that our monetary information will face up to any scrutiny. Our marketing campaign was funded by means of a mixture of donations from get together members, supporters, and well-wishers, in addition to fundraising occasions and actions. We additionally acquired funding from our get together’s nationwide headquarters, which is permissible underneath the Electoral Act. We’re dedicated to transparency and accountability in our marketing campaign financing, and we’re prepared to cooperate with any investigation or inquiry into our monetary information.

Is the get together fearful about looming litigations from the opposition events?

We’re not afraid of any litigation as this won’t be the primary time PDP took us to courtroom and misplaced. We’re very assured that our marketing campaign was carried out in accordance with the legislation. We’re ready to defend our victory in courtroom if vital, however we’re additionally open to reconciliation and dealing with the opposition events to maneuver our state ahead. We imagine that the electoral course of for this governorship election was free and honest, because it was attested to by native and worldwide observers, together with YIAGA Africa, and we’re assured that the proof will communicate for itself. We’re not intimidated by the specter of litigation and are ready to face any challenges which will come up. We urge the opposition events to simply accept the result of the election as they need to admit that they carried out woefully, shedding your complete 18 LGs. The PDP must be ready to assist Governor Aiyedatiwa to construct a greater future for our state. We’re dedicated to reconciliation and are prepared to interact in dialogue with the opposition to search out frequent floor and transfer our state ahead.